2014 Fall Camp #9: Notes

The Trojans tested themselves with a 98-play live scrimmage under the Coliseum lights.

The team emerged from the scrimmage relatively unscathed despite a major scare when starting QB Cody Kessler was rolled up on after fumbling the ball on an awkward exchange. In the end, head coach Steve Sarkisian joked that Kessler was left with a "bruised ego" but nothing more.

RB Buck Allen (shoulder) was dinged up during the scrimmage, and QB Jalen Greene (abdominal strain) was held out.

Freshman OL Jordan Austin is out for the season as he will undergo surgery on both hips just like Zach Banner did last year.

WR Nelson Agholor did not scrimmage because the coaches were just protecting him.

Both the offense and defense made big plays tonight. Cody Kessler started the scoring by hitting JuJu Smith for six, and then Max Browne made a beautiful 80-yard connection with Victor Blackwell. There were no official stats kept tonight.

On special teams, Soma Vainuku created a blocked punt, and freshman Jonathan Lockett made a diving deflection of a field goal.

Sophomore RB Justin Davis did not score, but he was the star of the scrimmage with several long runs and shifty moves. "I thought Justin played really well. We've been challenging Justin," said Sarkisian. "He's coming off the foot injury and we're really just trying to get his confidence back. I thought he competed at a very high level."

As is typical of a Fall Camp scrimmage, flags were flying at times. "I've got to get with some of the older guys and fix this problem we have with penalties and just young things that are not supposed to happen on the field," said captain Hayes Pullard.

Hawkins' INT continues a strong camp for the redshirt freshman who has completely transformed his body from year one to year two. "When I came, I was kind of fat," Hawkins said plainly. "I took the whole redshirt year to get faster and get my body right, and now I feel I can compete with anyone out here."

Hawkins credits both USC's nutrition staff and strength and conditioning staff for aiding him. "They helped me turn my body around. I'm feeling good," said Hawkins, who is most proud of his new six-pack.

Here is Sarkisian's complete presser in which he speaks at length about the promising freshman class...